Value of Colt 2nd Gen SAA (Engraved)

[BuLLet]

A friend of mine is going to unload this Colt SAA 45 LC from 1971. Serial number is in the 60XXXSA range. He bought it used in 1997 and thinks the engraving was from the factory. There is no paperwork or box. He has the 1997 receipt from the gun store he bought it used at. There is some minor wear, and probably 95% from what I've seen of it.

I have a bunch of NIB 3rd generations that I purchased new and one used 3rd gen. Adding this 2nd generation is appealing.

He want's $1900 for it. I'm not convinced the engraving is from the factory. Any ideas to it's value.

Thanks!

 

[roostercogburn98]

Have it lettered

 

[diggler1833]

Factory letters will add considerable value to a Colt that *has* additional factory work done to it (like engraving).

That being said, I haven't seen many factory engraved Colt SAAs with that style of engraving.

 

[BuLLet]

Have it lettered

I can do that after buying it. He's unloading it to me Tuesday or he'll try to get an FFL to buy it. I've paid $1500 for used mint 3rd generations, so it's not that far off.

 

[BuLLet]

Factory letters will add considerable value to a Colt that *has* additional factory work done to it (like engraving).

If this is really factory engraved it's worth north of $2800 I'd venture to say.

 

[diggler1833]

After blowing up your photos, I'd buy as a shooter only. No way was that factory work.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Engraving can go either way to value. If it is non factory(I believe this would be an A series engraving since it has minor coverage). The letter will tell you who did it which could do what @diggler1833 says

 

[BuLLet]

After blowing up your photos, I'd buy as a shooter only. No way was that factory work.

Ugh, that sucks...

No more then $1500 then.....

 

[diggler1833]

If this is really factory engraved it's worth north of $2800 I'd venture to say.

The market has gone stupid with these and some idiots pay $$$ for Colt SAA these days. I still have a ANIB 2007 Custom Shop ("Z" model #) that I've seen climb through the roof since I bought it.

 

[BuLLet]

What about the Eagle grips? Do they look from the period?

 

[roostercogburn98]

Lots of 2/3 gen variants had those grips

 

[diggler1833]

Lots of 2/3 gen variants had those grips

Yep. The 2nd gens had both the rampant Colt only, and then later the included eagle.

 

[BuLLet]

I just spoke to him again and he tells me it's not factory engraved

So, offerd $1500 for it as that's complety a fair price.

 

[diggler1833]

I just spoke to him again and he tells me it's not factory engraved

So, offerd $1500 for it as that's complety a fair price.

Yeah, just Google factory engraved 2nd gen SAAs and look at the difference in the photos. Pretty big disparity in quality.

Not trying to shit on your friend's revolver, but you seem to be a connoisseur of nice rifles...would hate to see you get your hands on this for near $2K and be disappointed.

Your offer of $1,500 is something he should jump all over. No FFL with any knowledge is going to offer him near as much.

 

[BuLLet]

Yeah, just Google factory engraved 2nd gen SAAs and look at the difference in the photos. Pretty big disparity in quality.

Not trying to shit on your friend's revolver, but you seem to be a connoisseur of nice rifles...would hate to see you get your hands on this for near $2K and be disappointed.

Your offer of $1,500 is something he should jump all over. No FFL with any knowledge is going to offer him near as much.

FFL would offer him no more then a Grand I'd bet.

He's accepted the $1500, so... I'll have a new shooter on Tuesday.

 

[diggler1833]

FFL would offer him no more then a Grand I'd bet.

He's accepted the $1500, so... I'll have a new shooter on Tuesday.

$1,500 for a shooter 2nd gen is pretty solid these days. Hope you like it.

 

[BuLLet]

$1,500 for a shooter 2nd gen is pretty solid these days. Hope you like it.

Me too!

Out of the 4 NIB and one used 7.5 inch Nickel (45 LC), I've only shot the used one. It'll be nice adding another one that I will shoot....

Thanks for the help! Saved me $400

 

[roostercogburn98]

Will be a fun shooter, enjoy

 

[sgtsmmiii]

Factory letters will add considerable value to a Colt that *has* additional factory work done to it (like engraving).

That being said, I haven't seen many factory engraved Colt SAAs with that style of engraving.

Those are my thoughts, too. I showed this to an advanced SAA collector and he agreed the engraving wasn't factory. But, YMMV.

 

[BuLLet]

The guns owner apparently had gotten a colt letter on it years ago.... for sure it's not factory engraving. In 1997 he paid $1795 for it used, with that engraving already on it. The letter confirmed it. I asked if he could find the letter anyway.... At the time the ffl who he bought it from took him for a ride, as many here on Long Island would back then.

I wonder if the engraving actually reduces it's value some....

Those are my thoughts, too. I showed this to an advanced SAA collector and he agreed the engraving wasn't factory. But, YMMV.

 

[sgtsmmiii]

" I wonder if the engraving actually reduces it's value some...."

I believe it does - the engraving just isn't that good. But, it'll be a fun shooter.